"The boss gave me a bonus," Cndy said with a bright smile.
As soon as Coco heard this, her eyes shifted slightly. Without a word, she turned back to her desk, grabbed a file, and headed straight for the CEO's office.
Cndy wanted to call her back, but Coco had already swayed her hips and pushed open the door. Helplessly, Cndy shook her head and mourned for her in silence.
Tang Mianmian had been dozing off in Long Yejue's arms when the door was suddenly pushed open. She jumped up in a panic.
Coco didn't even wait for Long Yejue to speak before barging in.
First, she'd heard from Cndy that the boss was in a great mood.
Second, she wanted to take advantage of his good mood to maybe flirt a little.
What she didn't expect was to walk in on such an awkward scene. She froze, but before she could say a word, a cold male voice rang out.
"Get out!"
"Boss, I…"
"Out!" Long Yejue's sharp eyes narrowed coldly, his gaze chilling to the bone.
Tang Mianmian had rarely seen him with this expression, especially toward his subordinates.
She quietly slipped away.
If she spoke up now, Coco would only suffer more.
Just as Cndy expected, Coco was soon kicked out of the CEO's office in disgrace, red-eyed and flustered.
Cndy didn't even have time to console her before she sighed and shook her head. She'd warned her—Coco didn't listen, and there was nothing more she could do.
That afternoon, Long Yejue was tied up in meetings as usual, and Tang Mianmian wasn't of much help.
Though she tried hard to familiarize herself with the company's operations, with a company this massive, it would take at least a month or two to truly get up to speed.
While struggling through past marketing plans, Fu Ranran called on the internal line.
That's when Tang Mianmian suddenly remembered—she hadn't settled the score with her yet!
So, the little lamb picked up the phone and instantly turned into a fire-breathing wolf.
"Fu Ranran, you've got some nerve calling me!"
"Aiya, the angrier you are, the more I know it worked," Fu Ranran said smugly, her voice full of laughter.
"I'm ending our friendship!"
"Suit yourself. Sorry, sweetheart, I like men, not sheep like you," she teased playfully.
Tang Mianmian nearly choked with rage.
Finally, Fu Ranran got to the point of her call—still with that mysterious tone.
"Did you see the news?"
"News? What for? I'm drowning in these planning documents. You think I have time to scroll through news?" Tang Mianmian rubbed her temples, already sore and sleepy, barely able to keep her eyes open.
Fu Ranran had guessed she hadn't seen it. That's exactly why she called. Gossip like this would eat her alive if she didn't share it.
"Go check today's headline—it'll make your butt clench!"
"..." Tang Mianmian's face darkened. "Watch your mouth, woman."
"Hehehe…" Fu Ranran cackled wickedly. "I already sent you the link. Open it up! No need to thank me, I'm your trusty Red Pioneer."
Then she hung up.
Tang Mianmian clicked on the message.
The huge banner headline nearly blinded her.
This was the gossip Fu Ranran was so excited about?
No wonder she said it'd make her clench. Ahem… she was kinda right.
The headline screamed:
"Wealthy Heiress Climbs Into Dragon Family Heir's Bed, Gets Thrown Out Naked in the Middle of the Night!"
That title was absolutely shocking.
There were several photos below, clearly featuring Su Wanru.
Even though the reporters had blurred them and added mosaics, it was obvious Su Wanru's clothes were in disarray.
Embarrassed, Tang Mianmian scrolled through the article. It basically claimed that Su Wanru, daughter of Minghai Group CEO Su Minghai, tried to seduce Long Yejue, the heir to the Long family, but was thrown out in disgrace.
So that night, that's what happened?
Why didn't Long Yejue tell her?
This story was plastered across nearly every news site.
Public opinion was brutal—Su Wanru was called everything from shameless to manipulative.
She even earned a new nickname: "scheming bitch."
Meanwhile, Long Yejue's image was elevated—aloof, untempted, and future husband material.
Future?
Tang Mianmian already thought he was the perfect husband.
She knew it wasn't nice to feel happy about this, but she couldn't help it. Her heart felt warm and giddy.
Just then, Long Yejue returned from a meeting and caught her smiling secretly.
Curious, he asked, "What's got you so happy?"
Tang Mianmian quickly closed the webpage and straightened up. "Nothing."
Long Yejue sat back down like a young master and ordered, "Get me a coffee."
As his personal secretary, she didn't argue this time. She got up and went to the bar area.
But instead of coffee, she brought him a glass of milk.
He twitched his lips. "I asked for coffee."
"Cut down on caffeine. Milk's better for you," she said with a smile.
He couldn't argue with his wife's sweet smile, so he accepted it.
Tang Mianmian didn't leave right away. She leaned in and asked, "So… was there more to your birthday night? What's this surprise everyone keeps talking about?"
"Why are you asking now?" he sipped his milk with a grimace.
"I just read the news," she admitted, eyes full of gossip. "So that happened that night? Is that the surprise they meant?"
"They wouldn't dare," Long Yejue scoffed.
Tang Mianmian thought it over and shook her head. "Yeah, no way."
Everyone was terrified of Long Yejue's scheming mind. No one dared mess with him.
Long Yejue pulled her into his arms, smiling faintly. "You're not mad?"
"Why would I be?" she asked curiously. "It didn't work. And didn't you see the comments? They're calling you 'Husband of the Nation.'"
Cough cough… Of course he saw those.
"I only want to be your husband," he said seriously.
Tang Mianmian's face lit up. She pinched him. "So smug. But seriously, is it wrong that I'm this happy?"
After all, Su Wanru's reputation was in ruins.
It was a huge blow for any woman.
Long Yejue had been ruthless.
She shivered slightly, disturbed by his methods.
"If you knew what she tried to do that night, you wouldn't feel that way," Long Yejue said darkly.
Tang Mianmian hated that expression on his face. "Didn't she already get what she deserved? But… what exactly happened?"
Long Yejue explained briefly.
Apparently, Su Wanru had drugged her with sleeping pills, intending to impersonate her and sleep with Long Yejue, forcing him to take responsibility.
Tang Mianmian was stunned.
Su Wanru was younger than her—how could she be so conniving?
Guess she really was a scheming bitch.
Still, how could she fall for it so easily?
Feeling a bit dumb, she looked at Long Yejue. "Was I really that easy to fool?"
"A little," he didn't deny it.
Tang Mianmian was instantly deflated. "I'll be more careful from now on."
"I want you to be smarter, sure. But being a little dumb has its perks—I tricked you into marrying me, didn't I?" he teased.
Tang Mianmian: "…"
Ahhh!
She already felt like a fool, and now he had to rub it in. This man was too much!
"Can I still regret it?"
"Too late. You married me—no take-backs." He tilted her chin and kissed her.
Tang Mianmian closed her eyes, letting him kiss her.
When he finally let go, her face was flushed red.
But she didn't forget about the "surprise." "So, what was the surprise everyone was talking about? How did I end up in that outfit?"
"Some mix-up. Su Wanru drugged you and didn't get the chance to hide you. Qi Yunmo interrupted her. Then, coincidentally, he was going to put you in the gift box. Fu Ranran dressed you up and put you inside as a birthday surprise for me."
"…"
Tang Mianmian was speechless.
All of them… they were all in on it?
And she fell for it like a fool?
Seriously?
How embarrassing!
Tang Mianmian wanted to cry.
Long Yejue, however, smiled in satisfaction. "Best gift I've ever received."
She rolled her eyes at him.
So smug after taking advantage of her.
Would it kill him not to gloat?
—
As the headlines blazed across the web, some were overjoyed while others despaired.
The mood in the Su family hit rock bottom.
After returning from the Long family estate, Su Wanru locked herself in her room, smashing and throwing things, refusing to eat or drink. Su Minghai and his wife Tong Yuexiu were terrified.
Tong Yuexiu tried again and again to talk her down, to no avail.
Fuming, she snapped, "The Long family went too far!"
Su Minghai just sighed. "What can we do? Do we dare speak out? The Longs aren't people you can afford to offend."
Tong Yuexiu knew that too, but still felt indignant. "Our daughter suffered such a huge humiliation, and we just let it slide?"
"What choice do we have?" Su Minghai replied.
Tong Yuexiu clenched her teeth, seething. "Wanru's our only daughter. We were counting on her marrying into the Longs so we could enjoy life. We've worked on this for years. And now? Her reputation's ruined. She won't be Long family's daughter-in-law—or anyone's!"
Su Minghai knew it too.
But what could he do?
Even the other three major families wouldn't dare provoke the Longs.
"Dad, Mom, please… don't say any more."
At last, Su Wanru appeared, pale and withdrawn.
Tong Yuexiu rushed to her side, holding her. "Wanru, don't do anything foolish. We're here for you."
"Mom, I'm sorry I failed you," Su Wanru said, expressionless.
Tong Yuexiu had raised her to be a rich man's wife, taught her to befriend Long Ruoshui, all to get close to Long Yejue.
Ten years of planning—gone in smoke.
It was a blow to them all.